CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGEImperial Japanese Navy SNLF (Special Naval Landing Forces) against the backdrop of Mt. Fuji. This photograph was taken during 1937 maneuvers as tensions with China continued to escalate.-Imperial Japanese Navy photo from Brent Jones collection

CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGEIJN Special Naval Landing Forces sailors pose on the grounds of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Behind them is a statue of legendary samurai Kusunoki Masashige, representative of the Bushido spirit rising in influence from an increasingly militaristic government.-Imperial Japanese Navy photo from Brent Jones collection

While tensions increased between China and Japan throughout early 1937, America continued to train for war scenarios with Japan. The annual gathering of the U.S. Navy for Fleet Problem XVIII in April-May 1937 again simulated operations against the Imperial Japanese Navy. The exercise staged from Lahaina Roads and Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. USS ASTORIA participated along with her new assignment--Cruiser Division 6, Scouting Force.

CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGEUSS ASTORIA (left) conducting maneuvers with INDIANAPOLIS CA-35, SAN FRANCISCO CA-38,
and NEW ORLEANS CA-32 circa 1937.Note that the ships' anchors have been painted black, perhaps a measure used to identify ships in the Black Force during the Fleet Problem.-U.S. Navy photo from NARA collection 80-G-456499

CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGEUSS ASTORIA CA-34 (foreground) conducting maneuvers with other cruisers circa 1937. This image appears to have been taken in sequence with the previous photograph. -U.S. Navy photo from NARA collection 80-G-456498

The third commanding officer of USS ASTORIA CA-34, Captain Charles C. Gill. He assumed
command of the ship on 15 March 1937.-photo from Brent Jones collection

On 27 May 1937, USS ASTORIA was one of several ships present in San Francisco Bay for the opening ceremonies of the Golden Gate Bridge.-photo from Brent Jones collection

In July 1937, ASTORIA was one of 18 U.S. Navy ships that participated in the Pacific Fleet Fiesta as part of the annual Portland Rose Festival. This large naval presence sailed up the Columbia and Willamette Rivers into Portland, Oregon beginning 16 July.

CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGEUSS ASTORIA CA-34 steams under the St. Johns Bridge spanning the Willamette River, 16 July 1937.-photo from Brent Jones collection

CLICK PHOTOS TO ENLARGEAerial views of USS ASTORIA entering Portland. Above: The heavy cruiser passes Swan Island Airport. Note the cars and spectators lining the length of the island.
Below: The large number 34 is visible atop ASTORIA's number two main battery turret. This system for aerial identification appears to have been used only during 1936-37.-photos from Brent Jones collection

CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGEUSS ASTORIA passes through the draw of Broadway Bridge in the Willamette River, 16 July 1937.-photo from Brent Jones collection

CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGEAbove: USS ASTORIA passes under the lift of Steel Bridge as she approaches her berth along the south bank of the Willamette River, 16 July 1937.Below: in a close-up from this image, ASTORIA sailors muster on the fantail as spectators watch from the riverbank.-photo from Brent Jones collection

CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGEUSS NORTHAMPTON CA-26 joins the festivities. In the foreground, two destroyers are moored alongside museum ship USS OREGON BB-03. Like ASTORIA, NORTHAMPTON would be lost during the naval battles of Guadalcanal in 1942.-photo from Brent Jones collection

USS INDIANAPOLIS CA-35 passes through the draw of Burnside Bridge. The waterfront at left between the two bridges is where ASTORIA moored. Like the other cruisers shown above, INDIANAPOLIS would not survive World War Two.-photo from Brent Jones collection

CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGEUSS ASTORIA moored in the Willamette River where she spent more than a week open to the public for tours. Taken from Steel Bridge on 17 July 1937. Burnside Bridge is in the background.-photo from Brent Jones collection

By the time festivites drew to a close in Portland, escalating hostilities across the Pacific in China were leading to full-scale invasion by Japan. Within weeks urban fighting was taking place in Shanghai, and the two nations were at war.

CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGEIn strong contrast to the U.S. Navy images from Portland, Japanese warships pay a very different type of visit to Shanghai in August 1937. The stern of flagship IJN YAEYAMA is photographed from the cruiser IZUMO in Shanghai Harbor. Smoke drifts skyward in the background from the siege of the city.-Imperial Japanese Navy photo from Brent Jones collection

CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGEImperial Japanese Navy cruisers utilized floatplanes in the same manner as their American counterparts. In this image taken from IZUMO in Shanghai Harbor, a Nakajima E8N is hoisted aboard ship following a mission. Note the two members of the aircrew, one of which has hooked the plane to the recovery boom visible at upper right.-Imperial Japanese Navy photo from Brent Jones collection

CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGESpecial Naval Landing Forces troops in a Shanghai street in driving rain during the August 1937 fighting. Note the Japanese flag attached to one sailor's Type 38 rifle.-Imperial Japanese Navy photo from Brent Jones collection

CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGEIJN Special Naval Landing Forces troops in gas masks prepare for an advance in the rubble of Shanghai. Chemical weapons were utilized against the Chinese during the battle.-Imperial Japanese Navy photo from Brent Jones collection

U.S. Marines from the 6th Regiment aboard USS CHAUMONT AP-5 arriving in Shanghai Harbor, 19 September 1937. Although technically neutral in the conflict, USMC reinforcements were rushed to China to protect American citizens living in the International Settlement.-U.S. Navy photo from Naval History and Heritage Command collection NH 77950

Japanese Ambassador Hirosi Saito at a Washington press club luncheon on 14 October 1937. Saito, who did not personally support his government's aggressive policies in China, performed a difficult balancing act with the American press.-photo from Brent Jones collection

By early December, Japanese forces were closing in on the Chinese capital city of Nanking. On 11 December, American embassy staff were evacuated on American gunboats including USS PANAY PR-5. PANAY moved up the Yangtze River escorting three American merchant tankers. The next day, despite clear American markings and flags, PANAY was attacked by Japanese aircraft. She was bombed and endured repeated strafing runs. Three men were killed, with 43 Sailors and five civilians wounded in the attack. USS PANAY sunk in the Yangtze River.

PANAY crew members are ferried to shore in launches as the gunboat begins to list to starboard following attacks on 12 December 1937.-photo reproduced from www.hmsfalcon.com

Eric Mayell of Fox Movietone was one of two news photographers who shot film footage from aboard the PANAY during the attack. Much of this footage was shown in American newsreels in the weeks following the attack. Despite official apologies, public outrage toward Japan began to grow.-still frames reproduced from film footage at www.hmsfalcon.com

Hirosi Saito is cornered by reporters as he waits to speak to the U.S. Secretary of State the day after the incident, 13 December 1937. Saito was outspoken in his criticism of his military's invasive practices in China, and he fell into further disfavor with his government over his apologetic handling of the sinking of USS PANAY.-photo from Brent Jones collection